2008 Woodie Awards
Track and field program off to running start
Former Syracuse coach Dusty Lopez joins Webster as recruitment process starts; competition will begin in '08-'09 school year
By: Nikole Brown
Issue date: 8/30/07 Section: Sports
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At the end of the 2006-2007 school year, Webster University athletics received a blow when the swimming program was cut due to lack of coaching staff and participation. However, the athletics department, partly due to new NCAA legislation, has added men and women's track and field to the sports roster and Dusty Lopez to the full-time coaching staff.
In 2006, the NCAA raised their Division III sports requirement from five sports for each sex to six. After the elimination of the swimming program, the athletics department had to seriously evaluate new sports additions. Director of Athletics Tom Hart said several key issues were looked at including, cost, viability, competition, and facilities needed.
Once track and field was picked, the department held a national search for a coach and had over 90 responses. The group was narrowed down to five to six phone interviews and two campus visits. After the long hiring process, Dusty Lopez received the job.
From 2002-2004, Lopez served as assistant track and field coach at Syracuse University in New York, and from 2005-2007 he was the assistant coach at Williams College in Massachusetts, where he had run track as a student. Lopez decided to apply for Webster's track and field coaching position when he found out his wife was doing her medical residency in St. Louis.
"I was looking for places to continue my coaching career, and the timing was perfect, Lopez said. "Even though we're starting a new program the athletic department is committed to making it a quality program."
Track and field is made up of four components: distance, sprints, jumps, and throws. Lopez will be given one year to recruit and start track and field in the 08-09 school year. For now, he will coach Women's Cross Country. Lopez said although he does not know the area well, from what he has seen, he said St. Louis has a good talent pool. He plans to start recruiting in the St. Louis area and around Missouri, and then continue to branch further out.
In 2006, the NCAA raised their Division III sports requirement from five sports for each sex to six. After the elimination of the swimming program, the athletics department had to seriously evaluate new sports additions. Director of Athletics Tom Hart said several key issues were looked at including, cost, viability, competition, and facilities needed.
Once track and field was picked, the department held a national search for a coach and had over 90 responses. The group was narrowed down to five to six phone interviews and two campus visits. After the long hiring process, Dusty Lopez received the job.
From 2002-2004, Lopez served as assistant track and field coach at Syracuse University in New York, and from 2005-2007 he was the assistant coach at Williams College in Massachusetts, where he had run track as a student. Lopez decided to apply for Webster's track and field coaching position when he found out his wife was doing her medical residency in St. Louis.
"I was looking for places to continue my coaching career, and the timing was perfect, Lopez said. "Even though we're starting a new program the athletic department is committed to making it a quality program."
Track and field is made up of four components: distance, sprints, jumps, and throws. Lopez will be given one year to recruit and start track and field in the 08-09 school year. For now, he will coach Women's Cross Country. Lopez said although he does not know the area well, from what he has seen, he said St. Louis has a good talent pool. He plans to start recruiting in the St. Louis area and around Missouri, and then continue to branch further out.
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